Sports

The man behind the Vancouver 2010 Olympic torch relay stopped in Red Deer on Thursday to congratulate star athletes and inspire them to compete in the world’s most renowned sporting event.

Red Deer Rebels forward Landon Ferraro has been named to the Canadian national under-18 men’s hockey team for the world U-18 championship April 9-19 in Fargo, N.D., and Moorhead, Minn.

The way the Bentley Generals came out of the gate Thursday it looked as if the Alberta/B.C. senior AAA hockey playoff would be short and sweet.

Talk about a modest concept.

With a playoff spot assured, the Calgary Flames now have their sights set on loftier goals.

Jay Cutler got a ticket out of Denver, and the Chicago Bears got a franchise quarterback for the first time in decades.

Tampa Bay Lightning captain Vincent Lecavalier will have surgery on his right wrist and miss the last five games of the season.

Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby scored power-play goals and the Penguins ended one of the best homestands in franchise history, routing Martin Brodeur and New Jersey.

Seve Ballesteros is dreaming of opening up a golf course near his home in northern Spain as he fights his way back to normality following a lengthy battle with a cancerous brain tumour.

The Bentley Generals may be battered and bruised with a long stretch of post-season games behind them, but they’re eagerly embracing their next challenge.